OCR Text |
Show CACTUS UTILIZED. It is an undeniable fact that the German scientists have discovered and utilized substitutes for many necessary articles rendered unobtainable by th? blockade of the entente allies. It is also true that such discoveries have been made ail over the world, and that we shall in future be usin raw materials ma-terials which have hitherto gone to waste. For instance, the agriculturists of South Africa are utilizing the prickly prick-ly pear in the production of feeding cakes for cattle, and it is said to have a food value of a high quality. Heretofore Here-tofore the cactus has been regarded as a pest, not only in South Africa, but all over the world. During the recent drouth, however, it was about the onlv food the farmers could obtain for the cattle, sheep, goats and ostriches. Now, it is said, these same farmers are planting what they formerly tried to exterminate. The food value of the prickly pear having been at least partially par-tially established, it is now proposed to use it as a substitute for wood pulp iu the manufacture of paper. Jf it is available for this purpose it might aid in solving the paper problem in the Vnited States, where prices have been rising by leaps and bounds during the past year. There is plenty of cactus in California and Arizona if the paper makers desire to try the experiment. |